Cavaliers cruise past short-handed 76ers 115-101
cavaliers-cruise-past-short-handed-76ers
The Cleveland Cavaliers encountered little resistance Monday night, rolling to a 115-101 win over the undermanned Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Guard James Harden led Cleveland with 21 points and became the ninth player in NBA history to reach 29,000 career points. Swingman Keon Ellis added 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, his best performance since joining the Cavaliers. Donovan Mitchell quietly supplied 17 points, while Evan Mobley finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. Dean Wade contributed a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double, and rookie Jaylon Tyson scored 11.
The 76ers (34-30) were without Joel Embiid (oblique), Paul George (suspension), rookie VJ Edgecombe (lower back) and Tyrese Maxey (finger), a quartet that normally combines for nearly 90 points per game. Cleveland (8-1 at home since March 23) capitalized on the absences, committing just nine turnovers compared with Philadelphia’s 14.
Coach reacts
Head coach Kenny Atkinson called the effort “a pretty professional and mature performance,” noting only minor lapses. He also said he has encouraged Harden and Mobley to spend additional time together on the court and in workouts to strengthen their pick-and-roll chemistry.
The Cavaliers built a double-digit lead early and never trailed after halftime, leading by as many as 19. Several Philadelphia possessions ended with errant passes that sailed into the stands, highlighting the visitor’s offensive struggles.
Road stretch ahead
Monday’s contest opened a stretch in which Cleveland plays five of its next six games on the road, starting Wednesday in Orlando and Friday in Dallas while the Mid-American Conference men’s tournament occupies Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Cavaliers have won 18 of their last 24 overall.
Source: Hoops Wire
